Home accidents in Arab Bedouin children in southern Israel

Home accidents are a major health problem; no data about the specific types of home accidents in the pediatric Bedouin population of southern Israel is available. We sought to delineate the specific types of home accidents in Arab Bedouin children in southern Israel. The study was conducted in a primary care clinic in an Arab Bedouin town in southern Israel. An interview of every patient or parent who presented to the clinic for a home accident in a child from December 2000 until mid November 2001 was conducted. A total of 235 accidents were recorded from 219 patients (153 males and 66 females). The most prevalent injury was burns (85 cases - 36.1%) followed by falls (67 cases - 28.5%), contusions (31cases - 13.2%), lacerations (29 cases - 12.3%), and nail penetrations (19 cases - 8%). Thirteen patients were hospitalized, 6 with burns and 7 due to falls. A total of 209 days of hospitalization were recorded, 195 days due to burn and 14 days due to falls, (p < 0.05). Burn rates were highest in children younger than 2 years of age, 39/57 (68.4%), and an increased risk for burns was significantly correlated to younger age (p < 0.0001). We conclude that in our study population, burns represent the most prevalent home accident and that burns cause a much longer hospital stay than any other type of accident. The risk for burns is correlated to younger age. A burn prevention plan is needed.